IT is of growing concern on Wearside that at the same stage last year Sunderland occupied a better position in English football's second tier than they do now.

Four points are all Mick McCarthy's side have to show from their opening four matches, having won just the once and that came by beating many people's relegation favourites Crewe.

Twelve months ago, amidst all the crisis talk following the club's expensive fall from the Premiership, Sunderland had two more points than they do now. Not bad when considering they lost the opening two games.

But this year was going to be different, apparently. With no alarming losing streak hanging over their heads - who could forget those 17 incredible defeats - Sunderland could start the campaign with clear minds.

However, things have not gone according to plan as Sunderland's summer signings take a little longer than expected to gel with those leftover from the squad that achieved a play-off place in May.

There was a worrying lack of confidence in the team's play at Plymouth. In stark contrast to the Pilgrims who are clearly still buoyed by their heroics in the old Division Two.

From as early as the second minute, when Plymouth skipper Paul Wotton blasted a free-kick beyond a flapping Thomas Myhre, Sunderland were up against it.

And Sunderland did not seem to have any response to the determination and dogged team spirit of a home side that could play a bit as well.

The visitors' midfielder, Carl Robinson, was one of those to find life hard as he tried to develop an understanding with Dean Whitehead in the middle of the pitch - but he was in good company.

And Robinson, at the club on loan last season before completing a permanent switch from Portsmouth in the summer, admitted Sunderland's hopes of promotion will not be fulfilled if there are any repeat performances.

"We were well below par. It was a totally unacceptable performance. We were outplayed and outfought. Wherever we go this season we are going to be a big scalp and that showed by the reactions of Plymouth," said Robinson.

"We did go one down early but we have to be big enough and strong enough to cope with that. We didn't really get going and a few words were said at half-time - truthful words. We just weren't at the races.

"Players have to be big enough to take the plaudits when they do play well and they also have to take the criticism when they don't. Too many were off the pace but we have to put those to bed and get on with it."

Defensively, particularly in the first half, Sunderland were awful. Plymouth's towering striker Mickey Evans was a major thorn with his aerial presence and Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell were clearly rocked by the front-man's bustling approach.

But it would be easy to point the finger of blame towards the back four. "You defend from the front and you can't just single out individuals because the midfield and forwards are part of defending as a team," said Robinson.

"We have to ruffle their forwards; rough them up just as other teams do to Kevin Kyle. We don't want to give anyone an easy ride. We need to show teams we have a nasty streak in us as well."

It must have been like going back to his first job for Kyle. Heading to one of the country's largest ports it may have brought back memories of his days as a baggage handler on the Irish ferries.

But, just as McCarthy said it would during the build up to the game, the Plymouth defenders gave the big Scot a tougher time than what he experienced during his days carrying suitcases.

In fairness to Kyle he never gave up and his embrace with centre-back Wotton at the end of the encounter showed the mutual respect each had for one another.

The Sunderland targetman very nearly clinched the goal in the dying seconds that would have earned the Black Cats a point. But that would have been harsh on Plymouth.

After Wotton's blistering free-kick from wide on the left earned the lead, Scotsman Stevie Crawford clinically put the hosts two to the good four minutes before half-time, when he latched onto a flick on from star man Evans.

There were a few shots - notably through Robinson and Arca - from Sunderland but none that troubled goalkeeper Luke McCormick. That was until McCarthy brought on Sean Thornton and Stephen Elliott.

And, with one of his first touches, Thornton's first class corner was met by Marcus Stewart's head at the near post and the ball flew past McCormick.

That was Stewart's third of the season and the first Plymouth have conceded since Adam Boyd scored against them for Hartlepool in the penultimate game of last season.

Thornton, having also created a goal against QPR in his last cameo outing, has surely forced his way into the reckoning for a starting place against Chester tomorrow night and then leaders Wigan in the Championship on Saturday.

Those 1,200 away supporters who made the 820-mile round trip to Devon would certainly like to see him given a chance - if they're back by then that is.

Result: Plymouth 2 Sunderland 1.

Read more about Sunderland here.